10 Things to Do in Blarney That You Shouldn't Miss

September 9, 2017 Marissa Gamble

Blarney (Irish: an Bhlarna, meaning "the little field") is a town and townland in County Cork, Ireland. It lies 8 km (5.0 mi) north-west of Cork and is famed as the site of Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone.
Restaurants in Blarney

1. Blarney Castle & Gardens

Blarney, Ireland +353 21 438 5252
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Blarney Castle & Gardens

Situated 8km from Cork City, this historic castle is most famous for its stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word Blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offedning. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and to kiss it one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk. LAST ADMISSION IS 60 MINS BEFORE CLOSING TIME

Reviewed By ssycats - RapidCity,SD

We rented a car and drove from Dublin in a snowstorm to Blarney. We really enjoyed this. Thought it was going to be just a tourist trap but really enjoyed the castle, kissing the Blarney Stone, and walking the trails. There were several miles of trails and we spend probably an hour or two walking around. The castle was very cool too. We got there late in the afternoon and all the tour busses were gone. I think it was a good time to visit. We did not have to wait in line to kiss the Blarney Stone. Allow 2-3 hours to visit here. I think the cost to get in for 2 adults was $44 US.

2. Nano Nagle Place

Douglas Street, Cork, Ireland +353 21 419 3580
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 112 reviews

Nano Nagle Place

Nano Nagle Place is a restored walled convent with beautiful hidden Gardens and graveyards, the fab Good Day Deli garden café and design & book shop in the centre of bustling Cork city. Our state of the art heritage centre tells the extraordinary story 18th century Cork and how Nano Nagle worked tirelessly to educate the poor of the city. History, heritage, culture, great food & coffee, stunning architecture & landscaping and a very warm welcome await! Come and explore all that's good in Cork!

Reviewed By Sarah H

Nano Nagle Place was such a wonderful experience. The grounds are heavenly as is the small cafe situated there. Agnes at the welcome desk was so kind and thoughtful and I can’t thank her enough! The museum was interactive and very engaging. Would highly recommend...MoreSarah - Thanks for the lovely generous review. I'll be sure to pass on your compliments to Agnes. Do come and see us again - we are starting to curate regular cultural events - Concerts, lectures, book launches, Exhibitions etc. Kind regards, Shane Clarke (CEO)

3. Blarney Woollen Mills

Blarney, Ireland +353 21 451 6111
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 703 reviews

Blarney Woollen Mills

What was once a small souvenir shop in a thatched cottage on wheels is now the largest Irish store in the World. Located in the small village of Blarney which is famous for the Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills now occupies a space of 60,000 square ft and is a key feature of the renowned Irish village.

Reviewed By vannsandra - Bundaberg

Our Irish friends took us here and ensured that we got some lovely woollen coats and throws. There were souvenirs galore as well, and we came away with lots of fun trinkets, t-shirts etc for both family and ourselves. Well worth a visit - don't forget your purse. They were also very good at setting up a tax-free card for us, so that we could either get our tax back there and then, or when we left Ireland. Friendly and efficient.

4. Blarney Chocolate Factory

The Square, Blarney Cork, Ireland +353 21 438 2808
Excellent
66%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 111 reviews

Blarney Chocolate Factory

An oasis of chocolate happiness in the beautiful Blarney Village. After kissing the famous Blarney Stone and enjoying the fabulous grounds of Blarney Castle Estate, Blarney Chocolate Factory is your next stop. Beautiful hand made chocolates, great coffee, hot chocolate and a warm welcome always awaits.

Reviewed By michael k - Dublin, Ireland

Lovely shop with great great chocolate- pity for the management that it can be so easily missed due to an anonymous shop front. A BIG window showing the inside of the shop is all that is required to entice people in. Lovely shop that deserves a bigger footfall.

5. Blairs Inn

Cloghroe, Blarney, Ireland +353 21 438 1470
Excellent
73%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Blairs Inn

Reviewed By Jack186600 - Cork, Ireland

Im a huge believer in sticking to a style of food and going with it. Trying to be something your not is the biggest downfall of restaurants for me. Fortunately Blairs Inn does exactly what it says it offers...very decent, hearty food that's just a little more refined than a pub. A Gastropub true and through. It wasn't overly busy for a Saturday night however there were plenty in the bar. The restaurant side is quaint and very English Gastropub style. Little snug booths and ambient lighting in a yellow hue. And all sorts of stuff on the walls...tasteful things though not the usual crap. For starters I had a Corned Beef and Cabbage salad with was warm, and diced boiled potato bound in mayonnaise parsley style dressing. It came with fresh leaves tomato and onion. All together everything lending itself wel go the dish. It was delightful and really shows off the beauty of real corned beef. It was truly delicous. For main I had a fillet of hake with Kale, smoked bacon and caper beurre blanc sauce. For any fish lover i dont need to say how deliciousthat combination was. Creamy crispy hake, buttery salty kale made with the lardons guess, and a sharp creamy delicios beurre blanc. It came with vegetables which were beautifuly cooked and a delicious gratin potato both on the side. There were lots of things done well. Thoughful things. Bread at the start. The butter was at room temperature. The vegetables came with butter on the side for those who want it.
The dessert i had was a rhubarb and berry tart. It was good but i was so full eating it i didnt enjoy it as much as i could have.
The staff were all very . sweet smiley young ones which there was an abundance of. Never seen so many servers to so so little tables.
Also the photos don't do justice to the food as i had started both dishes before i remembered to picture them. So they look better but you get the idea.

6. Annie Moore Statue

Westbourne Place | Waterfront, Cobh, Ireland
Excellent
52%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 283 reviews

Annie Moore Statue

Reviewed By Judith38Cork_Ireland - Cork, Ireland

My family were in Cobh and we were drawn to this statue of Annie Moore with her brothers.
Annie Moore was the first passenger to be processed at Ellis Island in America, when it officially opened on January 1, 1892.
Annie and her two younger brothers (Anthony & Phillip) had sailed from Cobh to the USA, on the S.S. Nevada. They left their native Irish shores on December 20, 1891 with 148 steerage passengers then spent 12 days at sea.
It must have been a strange journey for such a young family, knowing that they would never return to their homeland and yet looking forward with hope to the promise of a future, away from poverty, famine and hardship.
They finally arrived in New York on New Year's eve 1891 to start their new life.

7. Church of Ireland Church

The Square, Blarney, Ireland
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Church of Ireland Church

Reviewed By rollinsthomas - Columbia,IL

We enjoyed the peace and quiet of this wondeful place. Along on the trip sometimes you need to push back and say a prayer or two. This is the place.

8. Roman Catholic Church

Blarney, Ireland
Excellent
60%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Roman Catholic Church

Reviewed By 448andyk - Ontario, Canada

This church has interesting architecture, colourful stained glass and a warm, welcoming feel. It is located on a little hill, with lovely grounds. If you like looking a churches, this one is unique for a peek.

9. Fitzgerald Park

Mardyke Walk, Cork, Ireland +353 21 427 0679
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 497 reviews

Fitzgerald Park

Reviewed By cocktailsfor2 - Cork, Ireland

Here is a gem in the middle of the city where you can stroll feed the birds and most of all engage and enjoy the true Cork man or woman at there best they love their city and their sport it’s an educational experience to listen ‘ friendly and sincere I’ll be back BOI ❤️❤️❤️❤️

10. Waterloo Round Tower

Blarney, Ireland +353 21 425 5100
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Waterloo Round Tower

Reviewed By Dáithí Ó

I love this place steeped in history and you just know from how clean and well kept it is , the locals have great pride in their village, In the middle of the village is the Waterloo Inn , a beautiful old building offering hospitality food and drink in the most beautiful surroundings , sitting on the edge of the river martin and in a valley, its just stunning, take some time to visit the beautiful little church and the round tower. they are just magical. well worth a visit and costs you nothing.
Pretty close to Cork City while beng rural enough to offer you some peace and tranquility and stunning countryside views. worth a visit for the whole family, the kids will love the river walks.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.